balindamood
07-23-08, 01:47 PM
I have been casually looking at Randonneuring and am thinking about dipping my toe in the water, so to speak. Though I love all the Rivendell, carradice, hammered aluminum fenders, et.al., I do not have that sort of dipodable cash. What I do have is ALOT of older lightweight/sport frames and parts.
I have, for example an all-orignial '74 Peugeot UE-8. Seems to be ready to go out of the gate for such activities, but I am thinking something with more modern components.
I have disassembled and awaiting direction two bikes.
1). '74 Campania which from my understanding was somebody's imitation of Italvega/specialized, buying frames from Japan, assembling them with marginal to mid-level components in California and selling them here int he US. The frame is light, chromed-under-paint DB steel of unknown origins. The tube angles are relatively shallow. It has original, amongst other things, DA hubs w/alloy Weinmann 27" rims, Sakae Royal cranks, stem and randonnear bars, bar-end shifters, and Shimano centerpulls. The bike needs total rehab, and I would take no issue rebuilding around the frame with newer stuff. I have never riden this bike, so it may suck all around, but I would like to do something with it.
2). Early '80's Univega Gran Premio. This is/was a very nice club racer (nice cut-outs on the lugs and all)for its day and ome of the most comfortable bikes I own. It needs complete rehab. Most of the parts are not original. I have spent some time trying to collect original spec parts, but have not been completely able to identify what the original cranks were (I have Sugino Aeros on it now). I am not sure this bike is worth the full Cycle-Art level restoration which would be required to bring it back to it's glory days. I can have it powder coated and build it up as a Randonneur for far less and proabably enjoy it more.
Suggestions? Should I find something else?
Thanks!
I have, for example an all-orignial '74 Peugeot UE-8. Seems to be ready to go out of the gate for such activities, but I am thinking something with more modern components.
I have disassembled and awaiting direction two bikes.
1). '74 Campania which from my understanding was somebody's imitation of Italvega/specialized, buying frames from Japan, assembling them with marginal to mid-level components in California and selling them here int he US. The frame is light, chromed-under-paint DB steel of unknown origins. The tube angles are relatively shallow. It has original, amongst other things, DA hubs w/alloy Weinmann 27" rims, Sakae Royal cranks, stem and randonnear bars, bar-end shifters, and Shimano centerpulls. The bike needs total rehab, and I would take no issue rebuilding around the frame with newer stuff. I have never riden this bike, so it may suck all around, but I would like to do something with it.
2). Early '80's Univega Gran Premio. This is/was a very nice club racer (nice cut-outs on the lugs and all)for its day and ome of the most comfortable bikes I own. It needs complete rehab. Most of the parts are not original. I have spent some time trying to collect original spec parts, but have not been completely able to identify what the original cranks were (I have Sugino Aeros on it now). I am not sure this bike is worth the full Cycle-Art level restoration which would be required to bring it back to it's glory days. I can have it powder coated and build it up as a Randonneur for far less and proabably enjoy it more.
Suggestions? Should I find something else?
Thanks!
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